So a couple weeks ago when I was in LA taping Marc Maron’s TV Pilot for Comedy Central, me and Dwayne Kennedy also taped this episode of Marc Maron’s WTF podcast. The interview is pretty much 100% focused on racism in alternative comedy… which makes it seem pretty topical considering all the John Mayer nonsense yesterday. This interview was sort of a surreal experience for me. I’ve been a big fan of Marc’s since before I started doing comedy, and I’m a big fan of his podcast. Marc is credited as one of the founders(?) of Alt Comedy, but I’ve always appreciated him for his honesty, his blistering point of view, and his… I don’t know how to put this… his ADULTHOOD. There are very few comics that feel like adults when they are onstage. Most comedians onstage feel like teenagers or college students on a Friday night, but Marc is part of a class of comedians who feel like adults. (including Greg Proops, Jake Johannsen, Bill Burr… and it goes without saying Bill Cosby and Paul Mooney) I’ve always respected that quality in a comedian and have aspired to be that myself. It doesn’t mean they don’t talk about or do silly things but they do these things from an adult perspective. It feels like it is a throwback to the 60’s and early 70’s era of comedy.
The 2nd reason this episode felt surreal is that I was able to tape it with Dwayne Kennedy. Not only is he is one of my best friends but he is also one of my favorite comics of all-time. No exaggeration. He’s a comedy legend amongst the people who know these things (Marc sort of goes into this at the beginning — if they left that part in.) , and there’s not enough evidence online for you to know how good Dwayne is. And DEFINITELY getting Dwayne to open up like he did on Marc’s podcast AND ON THE RECORD is rare, so enjoy it while it lasts.
I haven’t listened yet to this episode, yet — possibly because I was there. Check it out and let me know what you think. ENjoy this episode of Two Legends and Kamau.
You can get it on Itunes or just click HERE!
Tags: adulthood, business as usual, Comedy Central, dwayne kennedy, john mayer, marc maron, podcast, race, racism, wtf
Filed under: Uncategorized
Hey Kamau, I met you at the New Parish in January. Your friend’s sister from Chicago introduced us. I was the big guy with the beard.
Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your appearance on WTF. I listen to that Podcast every week, Marc Maron is one of my current favorite comics. I was happy to hear you on there.
You told me to check out the open mic at the Brainwash Cafe in SF, and I’m planning on checking it out with some friends of mine next week. Comedy has been my true love my entire life, and I just recently realized that this shit is what I want to do with my life. I’ve never had this feeling before. And I want to tell you again how much I appreciate your advice. It really means a lot. Keep being yourself. It’s important.
Thanks, man.
-Daniel Burk